Well-rested Potter returns for Reno-Tahoe Open

Published: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 11:32 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 11:32 p.m.

Silver Springs PGA golfer Ted Potter Jr. will return to the course Thursday at the Reno-Tahoe Open after a two-week absence.

The $3 million event takes place on the same weekend as the higher profile WGC-Bridgestone, which draws golf’s biggest stars, but Potter joins a solid field of non-WGC qualifiers that also includes Padraig Harrington, Davis Love III, Rory Sabbatini, David Toms, Mike Weir and Camilo Villegas.

With only three weeks to go before the start of the FedEx Cup playoffs, Potter sits at 88th in FedEx points with 497 and 93rd in earnings with $812,790.

The Reno-Tahoe Open, played with the Modified Stableford scoring system, will be broadcast on The Golf Channel nightly starting at 7 p.m.

FIRST TEE WINNERS: This week’s division winners on the The First Tee of Greater Ocala’s Summer Junior Tour were Evan Carey, Diane Colley, Ty Wolfe, Andrew Powers, Isabella Dreher and Xavier Sahajpal. The First Tee, which teaches children core values, life skills and healthy habits through the game of golf, will hold additional tour dates Aug. 5 and Aug. 12, each at Pine Oaks. Entry fee is $15 per nine-hole tournament with boys and girls divisions in four different age groups ranging from age 5 and up. For information, call 362-2258 or visit www.thefirstteegreaterocala.org.

In other First Tee news, three program members excelled at the national Drive, Chip & Putt contest recently. Amber Bolan was second overall and qualified for the regional finals, while Megan Griggs (fourth overall, first in putting) and Erica Kilkenny (fifth overall, third in putting) each stood out in their respective age groups.

SUMMER GAMES: The Marion County Golf Association’s next points event, the Summer Games, will be Saturday at Pine Oaks and Sunday at Ocala Golf Club. The two-person team event features nine holes each of Modified Chapman format, individual stroke play, four-ball stroke play and alternate shot. Cost is $90 per golfer. Visit www.marioncountygolf.com for information.

SUPPORT THE CHAMPS: The College of Central Florida’s national champion men’s basketball program is hosting the Wayne Childers Memorial Big Sun Scramble on Aug. 10 at Silver Springs Shores. The four-person team event, which benefits Patriots scholarships, recruiting and other expenses, costs $90 per player or $360 per team. For information, call 854-2322, ext. 1322.

FIRST TEE FUNDRAISER: The First Tee will hold its annual tournament fundraiser Sept. 28 at Golden Ocala. Cost for the four-person scramble is $150 per golfer. Call 362-2258 for information on the event.

<p>Silver Springs PGA golfer Ted Potter Jr. will return to the course Thursday at the Reno-Tahoe Open after a two-week absence. </p><p>The $3 million event takes place on the same weekend as the higher profile WGC-Bridgestone, which draws golf's biggest stars, but Potter joins a solid field of non-WGC qualifiers that also includes Padraig Harrington, Davis Love III, Rory Sabbatini, David Toms, Mike Weir and Camilo Villegas.</p><p>With only three weeks to go before the start of the FedEx Cup playoffs, Potter sits at 88th in FedEx points with 497 and 93rd in earnings with $812,790.</p><p>The Reno-Tahoe Open, played with the Modified Stableford scoring system, will be broadcast on The Golf Channel nightly starting at 7 p.m.</p><p><b>FIRST TEE WINNERS:</b> This week's division winners on the The First Tee of Greater Ocala's Summer Junior Tour were Evan Carey, Diane Colley, Ty Wolfe, Andrew Powers, Isabella Dreher and Xavier Sahajpal. The First Tee, which teaches children core values, life skills and healthy habits through the game of golf, will hold additional tour dates Aug. 5 and Aug. 12, each at Pine Oaks. Entry fee is $15 per nine-hole tournament with boys and girls divisions in four different age groups ranging from age 5 and up. For information, call 362-2258 or visit www.thefirstteegreaterocala.org.</p><p>In other First Tee news, three program members excelled at the national Drive, Chip & Putt contest recently. Amber Bolan was second overall and qualified for the regional finals, while Megan Griggs (fourth overall, first in putting) and Erica Kilkenny (fifth overall, third in putting) each stood out in their respective age groups.</p><p><b>SUMMER GAMES:</b> The Marion County Golf Association's next points event, the Summer Games, will be Saturday at Pine Oaks and Sunday at Ocala Golf Club. The two-person team event features nine holes each of Modified Chapman format, individual stroke play, four-ball stroke play and alternate shot. Cost is $90 per golfer. Visit www.marioncountygolf.com for information. </p><p><b>SUPPORT THE CHAMPS:</b> The College of Central Florida's national champion men's basketball program is hosting the Wayne Childers Memorial Big Sun Scramble on Aug. 10 at Silver Springs Shores. The four-person team event, which benefits Patriots scholarships, recruiting and other expenses, costs $90 per player or $360 per team. For information, call 854-2322, ext. 1322.</p><p><b>FIRST TEE FUNDRAISER: </b> The First Tee will hold its annual tournament fundraiser Sept. 28 at Golden Ocala. Cost for the four-person scramble is $150 per golfer. Call 362-2258 for information on the event.</p><p><b>TUESDAY SCRAMBLE AT BASELINE:</b> Baseline Golf Course hosts a weekly scramble Tuesday nights starting at 6 p.m. Call 245-4414 for information.</p><p>Submit local golf information to Andy Marks at andy.marks@ocala.com.</p>